Mar 10, 2025 , 2:08 PM
APRIL 28: A general view of the in-ice logo prior to the game between the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 28, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
COLE BAGLEY
SALT LAKE CITY – As the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season nears completion with a little more than a month remaining and 19 games left on the schedule, the team is currently fighting for their playoff lives each time they step on the ice. With that in mind, the biggest question right now remains, can Utah still make the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
The short answer? Yes. But it’s going to be incredibly difficult.
While Utah’s Stanley Cup Playoff chances are still very much alive, the odds are certainly stacked against them given their placement in the standings.
As of March 10, 2025, Utah is currently fifth in the wild card race with 66 points behind Calgary (70), Vancouver (69) & St. Louis (69).
Canucks lose to the Stars while the Ducks beat the Islanders.
Wild Card race continues to stay interesting. pic.twitter.com/j4NXvqonk2
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 10, 2025
So, what does that mean in terms of their statistical chances to punch a ticket to the postseason?
According to the Athletic, who publishes daily playoff odds that factor in projected strength, roster health and strength of schedule, the Utah Hockey Club currently has a 16 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Comparatively, the Canucks have a 54 percent chance while Calgary is at 23 percent and St. Louis 14.
Certainly, still competitive and alive, but it’s going to take a lot for Utah to overcome the teams directly ahead of them.
“We’re as confident as ever in here. We know we’ve got to bring it though. Nobody is going to hand this to us,” defenseman Sean Durzi said.
“We’ve taken a big step forward from last year…we want to go out and earn it…I feel confident in the group.”
Sean Durzi on Utah’s mindset:
“We’re as confident as ever in here. We know we’ve got to bring it though. Nobody is going to hand this to us…”
“We’ve taken a big step forward from last year…we want to go out and earn it…I feel confident in the group.” pic.twitter.com/zdDTVjSXHU
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 25, 2025
The way things are trending in the standings, it appears more likely that the final wild card spot will require somewhere between 88 to 92 points in order to be claimed, rather than the historical average of 95.
According to tankathon.com, which measures remaining strength of schedule, Utah currently owns the 19th (of 32) toughest schedule down the stretch.
Meanwhile, the Canucks have the 10th toughest schedule and Calgary owns the 17th.
Notably, St. Louis has the easiest schedule left but have also played two more games than everybody else.
While Utah has a more favorable collection of games, they’ll need to win around 11 to 13 of the 19 left on their schedule in order to reach the previously listed benchmark of 88 to 92 points.
So, which games do they need to win, and which can they “afford” to lose?
Diving a little bit deeper, any game against a Western Conference opponent is essentially a must-win, especially against Anaheim, Vancouver, Calgary and St. Louis, as those would result in four-point swings.
Utah will also need to make sure they claim some of the “lower hanging fruit” as they play Seattle twice, Nashville twice, Chicago once more and Buffalo at home. Those are inferior opponents where you need to take care of business.
Which games could they theoretically “afford” to lose?
Look, at this point in the NHL season, you’re simply not going to win every single night, so losing to Eastern Conference opponents hurts a little bit less.
Games like Toronto, Tampa, Florida, and Detroit are where they have a little bit of wiggle room, but again, all points are precious and anywhere you can get them is important.
“There’s a lot of pain you have to go through to make the next step…we’re getting there. We’re in the fight. We’re right where we are supposed to be…there’s 20 game sevens left for us to play. It’s on, definitely,” GM Bill Armstrong said.
Related: Utah Hockey Club: Bill Armstrong Discusses NHL Trade Deadline
Obviously, making the playoffs would be a huge accomplishment for Utah and spoil the fanbase in only year one of existence.
However, regardless if they make it or not, this season was a huge success for the organization.
For the first time in roughly five years, this team has been able to play meaningful hockey down the stretch.
Like Armstrong pointed out, the team is experiencing playoff like situations during the last two months of the season as they claw for a spot in the postseason.
That’s invaluable.
These are the types of growing pains you want to experience as you emerge from a rebuild.
Situations that teach your new young captain how to lead, young stars how to handle real pressure and forces other players to rise to the occasion as you establish more of a true identity.
The Utah Hockey Club will now host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night at Delta Center. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
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